As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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I had been holding judgement on this whole fastpass+ and magicband thing, but as of today, I am not a fan. At least as far as our upcoming trip is concerned as this is still in the "roll out phase" as the rep told me today.
Prep: We will be at Disney during the week of NYE. Busy, yes, but been there, done that and we are very good at planning to get what we want to do and when. We are staying at BCV and we have annual passes. If if were just us, no big deal.
But, we are also taking along our very good friends who we last vacationed at Disney with us 10 years ago. They are staying at Swan and purchased tickets through undercover tourist.
Today, I went to take a look at how to get the Fastpass+ times for our entire party since we are within the 60 day window. But, quickly noticed that our friends are not eligible for the advance Fastpass+ because they cannot sign up for Magic+ because they are staying at the Swan/Dolphin.
I called Disney and talked with someone who confirmed that only disney resort guests are eligible at this time. The only thing we can do is wait until we get to the park and sign up at that time. The rep didn't know how much % wise they have allotted to the fastpass+ and how much is still for the "regular way." During the week of NYE, I am anticipating the worst in availability and access even if we do sign on to fastpass+ in the parks on the day we arrive or get FP the "old fashioned way". He couldn't confirm whether or not I will be able to even use our tickets to get FP the usual way because we have the Magic+ already. Still testing during the busiest time of the year seems crazy. I am sure they feel that if they are catering to the resort guest first and foremost they are covered, but this time we are straddling that imaginary line (although i consider Swan/Dolphin in the gray area between)
This is going to suck big time and I feel terrible for inviting our friends along to the cluster that it might become. Sorry, if this sounds dramatic, but I think there are consummate planners on this site that can sympathize with our dilemma. Arggghhhh!!!!!~
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I had been holding judgement on this whole fastpass+ and magicband thing, but as of today, I am not a fan. At least as far as our upcoming trip is concerned as this is still in the "roll out phase" as the rep told me today.
Prep: We will be at Disney during the week of NYE. Busy, yes, but been there, done that and we are very good at planning to get what we want to do and when. We are staying at BCV and we have annual passes. If if were just us, no big deal.
But, we are also taking along our very good friends who we last vacationed at Disney with us 10 years ago. They are staying at Swan and purchased tickets through undercover tourist.
Today, I went to take a look at how to get the Fastpass+ times for our entire party since we are within the 60 day window. But, quickly noticed that our friends are not eligible for the advance Fastpass+ because they cannot sign up for Magic+ because they are staying at the Swan/Dolphin.
I called Disney and talked with someone who confirmed that only disney resort guests are eligible at this time. The only thing we can do is wait until we get to the park and sign up at that time. The rep didn't know how much % wise they have allotted to the fastpass+ and how much is still for the "regular way." During the week of NYE, I am anticipating the worst in availability and access even if we do sign on to fastpass+ in the parks on the day we arrive or get FP the "old fashioned way". He couldn't confirm whether or not I will be able to even use our tickets to get FP the usual way because we have the Magic+ already. Still testing during the busiest time of the year seems crazy. I am sure they feel that if they are catering to the resort guest first and foremost they are covered, but this time we are straddling that imaginary line (although i consider Swan/Dolphin in the gray area between)
This is going to suck big time and I feel terrible for inviting our friends along to the cluster that it might become. Sorry, if this sounds dramatic, but I think there are consummate planners on this site that can sympathize with our dilemma. Arggghhhh!!!!!~
This LITERALLY just came across twitter from wdwinfo.com:
Testing will begin at Swan and Dolphin Nov 4-Jan 12!!!!!!
Dont give up!!!!
Here is the link:
So maybe you dont sign up for FP+ and then you all make your selections as a group? Not perfect but in a better position for success versus when you wrote the post?
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Thanks for the link and for the encouragement. At first I went Wow, do I feel stupid. What was I ranting for?! But then, I read this part of the release:
"Unlike guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, guests taking part in this test will not have access to MagicBands, and will not be able to make advance FastPass+ reservations. Instead, guests will need to visit a MyMagic+ service center at a park, where they can then make FastPass+ selections for that day and park."
Soooo, how is this any different than regular FP?? Yes, we will be able to make them as a group, but only for that day, in that park and what will be left by the time we get there?? We'll be sitting as a group on IASM because we couldn't get anything else!
Thanks for the link and for the encouragement. At first I went Wow, do I feel stupid. What was I ranting for?! But then, I read this part of the release:
"Unlike guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, guests taking part in this test will not have access to MagicBands, and will not be able to make advance FastPass+ reservations. Instead, guests will need to visit a MyMagic+ service center at a park, where they can then make FastPass+ selections for that day and park."
Soooo, how is this any different than regular FP?? Yes, we will be able to make them as a group, but only for that day, in that park and what will be left by the time we get there?? We'll be sitting as a group on IASM because we couldn't get anything else!
I know... That may turn out to be a huge negative to staying at Swan, Dolphin and Shades of Green unless they end up including them....
I think its fairly safe to say this is Disney's way (eventually) of making sure their guests are the ones allowed to do FP along with AP holders....I could be wrong but...
Well and truth be said its worse than reg FP bc you knew and planned and prepared to be there at rope drop if needed to get them - now you prob will get some of what you want but after spending time with everyone else streaming in from Swan and Dolphin booking the FP's
And reports out of Holly saying TSM gone within 30 min
Test Track Soarin gone fast in AM
its a problem....
On the other hand
you have magic bands = FP+
do you have AP's = Fp paper (at least as of this moment in time)
do you have hard KTTW? = FP paper (at least at this moment in time)
See this article and see if it gives you any ideas:
I know... That may turn out to be a huge negative to staying at Swan, Dolphin and Shades of Green unless they end up including them....
I think its fairly safe to say this is Disney's way (eventually) of making sure their guests are the ones allowed to do FP along with AP holders....I could be wrong but...
I agree, I think they chose this option over charging for front of the line passes like other parks
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
At this point, it's hard to say what FP+ availability will be like the day of. I know when we were there a few weeks ago, we were able to change our FP+ around at noon and got TSMM for 4:00 that afternoon. At 9:00 that morning, the traditional FP return time was already later than that.
So presuming there will be decent availability, I think FP+ definitely has an advantage over traditional FPs. I would much rather go to one location and schedule my FPs rather than criss-crossing the park to collect FPs, then waiting for my window to get the next FP, not knowing what your return time will be or if it will conflict with an ADR by the time you can collect the FP, etc...
I really didn't know what to expect when we used the MagicBands and FP+ a few weeks ago. We really underestimated the convenience of both, and were pleasantly surprised. I hope your experience is a positive one as well.
At this point, it's hard to say what FP+ availability will be like the day of. I know when we were there a few weeks ago, we were able to change our FP+ around at noon and got TSMM for 4:00 that afternoon. At 9:00 that morning, the traditional FP return time was already later than that.
So presuming there will be decent availability, I think FP+ definitely has an advantage over traditional FPs. I would much rather go to one location and schedule my FPs rather than criss-crossing the park to collect FPs, then waiting for my window to get the next FP, not knowing what your return time will be or if it will conflict with an ADR by the time you can collect the FP, etc...
I really didn't know what to expect when we used the MagicBands and FP+ a few weeks ago. We really underestimated the convenience of both, and were pleasantly surprised. I hope your experience is a positive one as well.
I agree with the not crisscrossing the parks, but i feel it's going to be like ADRs and walkup resv. You can try and get dining resv the day you arrive in the park, but rarely will you snag one.
If we weren't going at such a busy time, I think i could deal with it since we're pretty well versed in it. But with most of the availability gone, i feel like we'll be chasing our tails. With 6 high school to college age "kids" in tow, we will have a hard time getting them up and going in the morning, but it's what we'll have to do to get any chance at the main attractions.
Well and truth be said its worse than reg FP bc you knew and planned and prepared to be there at rope drop if needed to get them - now you prob will get some of what you want but after spending time with everyone else streaming in from Swan and Dolphin booking the FP's
And reports out of Holly saying TSM gone within 30 min
Test Track Soarin gone fast in AM
its a problem....
Exactly! I think we'll have to go at rope drop and hit some of the rides we want instead of waiting in line at the kiosk with all of the others trying to get the FP+for the day.
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We just got back the other day, it was pretty crowded, not the holiday crowds but pretty busy. We were able to make Fast Pass changes late in the day for the big rides without any issues....
We were at a convention and ended up going to a park at the last minute one evening, we added the ticket to our bands on that day and still was able to snag decent times for the bigger rides.
Right now Fp+ availability has been pretty good day of. I have been able to book fastpasses from the park on my iPhone and haven't had any problem getting what I wanted!
Right now FP+ availability has been pretty good day of. I have been able to book fastpasses from the park on my iPhone and haven't had any problem getting what I wanted!
That sounds like a nice perk and convenience that you couldn't get with the old way. I think i will like it for future trips. It's just that the timing of this rollout and it's establishment of parameters for resort guests and non-resort guests is extremely inconvenient for us and wasn't something that was known at the time we made the resv.
We just got back the other day, it was pretty crowded, not the holiday crowds but pretty busy. We were able to make Fast Pass changes late in the day for the big rides without any issues....
We were at a convention and ended up going to a park at the last minute one evening, we added the ticket to our bands on that day and still was able to snag decent times for the bigger rides.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you.
What a nice perk. And if we could figure out whether or not there was availability for rides before we went to the park, that's great!
Ok, so we went in May, just me and the hubby. Never a worry for us without the kids there, but with them we have on occasion, stayed off property. We have a big family, 4 dd's, boyfriends now too, and Disney requires a budget, as many of you know. What will the non=propery people do with all this fp+ junk going on? Where's the benefit of going if you can't afford to stay on property? Very disappointed, and not looking forward to future trips unless we can save mega bucks!
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PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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Wow, do I feel stupid. What was I ranting for?! But then, I read this part of the release:
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